Backyard Ghetto Farm in Nashville, TN

[Surewood]

Greetings. A month ago my wife and I expanded our animal kingdom to include fish. We've had hens for a while and thought more creatures to keep alive would be fun. So, I built our aquaponics system.
I've got a post on the welcome wagon with the design

http://www.aquaponicshq.com/forums/s...n-Nashville-TN

So, It's been over 2 weeks and everything looks good.
My API freshwater Master Test Kit sucks and being slightly colorblind does not help.
Are there any easier testing methods?

PH 7.4
A ~4.0 ppm
NO2 ~5 ppm
NO3 ~15 or 20ppm

Hopefully I will see the Nitrite and Ammonia drop in the next few days.
The fish seem happy, 9 Koi fish. Once the system is cycled I'll get some eatin' fish in there. I've got cow peas shooting up, peppers just starting, and random lettuce and herbs all growing.
My system is outside and collects random debris. Will the leaf, stick, and other tree debris cause ammonia problems? I was thinking about adding compost worms to eat all that stuff.
After the major helicopter seed fall, I have 4 maple trees about 4 inches tall that I'm just letting grow.

I'm excited about the whole process and I look forward to learning more from all of you.

[Pseudoreality]

Nice looking system. I hope to build a similar sized system myself soon. Just waiting for summer. Your dog also looks surprisingly similar to my German Shepherd/Black Lab cross. Although instead of relaxing with chickens, he barks at Ravens and flushes out Ptarmigans.

Your ammonia and nitrites sure look high. Koi must be pretty tough fish. I use the API Freshwater kit without too many problems. Some of the shades of colour are pretty close to each other, but normally you are only unsure +/- one shade. I can live with that. I've used a lot of digital pH meters for work and calibrating them is a pain. I much prefer the coloured water drops.

Is your 550 USGPH from Lowes a sump pump or pond pump?

[kellenw]

Yikes. You need to get that ammonia level down ASAP. I'm amazed the koi are still alive at those levels, particularly at a pH of 7.4. Hopefully, as you mentioned, your color blindness is causing false readings. Try taking a picture of each reading next to the API color chart and posting here. We'll try and take a stab at reading them for ya! :-)

Also, what's your water temp running at right now?

[Surewood]

My color blindness isn't that bad, but the color changes difference in the high ranges are tricky. At least I know they are high.
I hope this Nitrite level doesn't kill any fish. I drained the tank about 1/3 and added some fresh rainwater. I have a gutter to IBC rain water collector.
IMG_1783.jpg

Any suggestions for lowering the Nitrites? It should go down, but it's at a dangerous level right now.

I may drain some more and add rainwater. We've been having some crazy rain and tornadoes around here!

[kellenw]

Hi Surewood,

Can you take the picture with the API color chart in it? Need to be able to compare the tests to the chart as it is rendered by your camera. Otherwise it will be inaccurate.

[cedarswamp]

I would do a partial water change, and if you haven't already stop feeding your fish until those levels come down. And scoop out as much tree debris as you can,you don't want decaying plant matter adding to your problem.

[GaryD]

Hi,

My reading of your test results (from the colours) suggest that your system has not yet cycled.....and your pH is in the high range (hence Kellen's alarm at the ammonia level. In my view the nitrate reading is an aberration......I doubt if there's enough nitrification happening to produce any nitrate to speak of.

I'd throw half a pound of salt into the tank - to mitigate against the effects of the nitrite in the system and just let things settle for a day or so.

Keep the readings coming.....but don't worry about the nitrates at this stage.

I'd also slowly lower your pH to below 7.0.

Gary

[Surewood]

I swapped out about 1/2 of the water 2 weeks ago.
The PH has stayed right around 6.8 or 7.0.
Ammonia has stayed at .25ppm and less.
The Nitrate has gone up to darker orange. It seems to be between 20 and 40ppm.
The Nitrite level has gone down to less purple. It's the Nitrite color that is really a pain to differentiate. It's not as solid purple at least.
The water temp is at 66 degrees.

I just added a duckweed tank from a rubbermaid bin and used a busted microphone screen as a drain filter. I knew I would find a purpose for that. I got a small amount of duckweed from the park in the neighborhood. I'm not sure if it's the best type.
IMG_1833.jpg

My plants are hangin' in there. The spearmint and fennel looks great. The peppers are still tiny.
IMG_1830.jpg
The peas and cabbage look pretty bad.
I just started foliar feeding them earlier this week. The new leaves on the peas are coming in better.
IMG_1832.jpgIMG_1831.jpg
The 13 year cicadas came out last night. They are everywhere, but not on the grow beds. The chickens are feasting on those things and lounging in the backyard. The Red Tail Hawks may get a chance today with a fat lazy chicken.
IMG_1822.jpg

[kellenw]

Lookin' good! Glad to hear everything is starting to come together. Really pleased to see your water parameters improved too! :-)

[Surewood]

I guess I need to get some Tilapia in there. Any suggestions?